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Aboriginals should be more involved. Metis must be recognized. Adoption records should be more open.

Those are among the recommendations of the review of Alberta's Child Welfare Act.

Some of the other recommendations include separate legislation pertaining to services provided to children with disabilities, extending maintenance for youth in government care to age 22.

The Children's Services Ministry will now draft legislation based on the recommendations of the Strengthening Families, Children and Youth report.

Highlights include a focus on finding permanent homes for children in government care, an emphasis on family involvement in child welfare cases, increased Aboriginal involvement in the decision-making process and a recommendation to broaden the role of the Children's Advocate.

To achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal, First Nations, Metis and Inuit children, the report recommends an increased responsibility for collaborating with these communities.

Enhanced collaboration will ensure meaningful involvement in case management and child welfare decision-making as well as further support these communities in increased responsibility for their children. It is also recommended the Metis community be recognized in the legislation.

Children's Services will continue working with key stakeholders, including the First Nation, Metis, Inuit and Aboriginal communities as policies and regulations related to the new legislation are developed.

New child welfare legislation will be introduced in the Legislature in Spring 2003 and is expected to be proclaimed in 2004.

Edmonton ... Some of the recommendations coming from a review into Alberta's Child Welfare Act include separate legislation pertaining to services provided to children with disabilities, extending maintenance for youth in government care to age 22 as well as increasing access to adoption records.

Children's Services Minister Iris Evans has accepted the 'Strengthening Families, Children and Youth' report from Calgary Buffalo MLA Harvey Cenaiko who led the year-and-a half long review. Her department will now be drafting legislation based on its recommendations.

Highlights from the 'Strengthening Families, Children and Youth' report include a focus on finding permanent homes for children in government care, an emphasis on family involvement in child welfare cases, increased Aboriginal involvement in the decision-making process and a recommendation to broaden the role of the Children's Advocate.

"Information gathered through the review process will help us develop new child welfare legislation to better support children, youth and families across Alberta. Children's Services will continue working with key stakeholders, including the First Nation, Métis, Inuit and Aboriginal communities as we develop policies and regulations related to the new legislation," said Evans.

Throughout the review process, Cenaiko and his committee travelled across the province, holding over 140 meetings with stakeholders. More than 600 submissions were received.

"The 55 recommendations in the report reflect what was heard from Albertans as well as the research that was done across Canada and internationally," said Cenaiko. "While I strongly believe government must go further in its efforts to make services seamless, these recommendations provide Alberta with a strong legal and policy foundation to guide us for years to come as we work toward that goal."

New child welfare legislation will be introduced in the Legislature in Spring 2003 and is expected to be proclaimed in 2004.

While there have been some specific amendments to the Child Welfare Act through the years, the direction and guiding philosophy behind Alberta's child protection services were last reviewed more than 17 years ago.

"A lot of work went into this review and I thank the review committee for their efforts," said Evans.

The report recommends separate legislation to cover services for children with disabilities. Separate legislation would clarify eligibility, require service plans and improve the appeal process.

To achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, the report recommends an increased responsibility for collaborating with these communities. Enhanced collaboration will ensure meaningful involvement in case management and child welfare decision-making as well as further support these communities in increased responsibility for their children. It is also recommended the Métis community be recognized in the legislation.

For youth who are in the care of the Director of Child Welfare, the report recommends that care and maintenance be extended to youth through to age 22. Currently, extensions are offered past age 18 to age 20. Supports may include assistance in accessing programs currently available, ie. post-secondary education, career preparation, skills training and basic life skills.

The report recommends the Children's Advocate have an expanded role in supporting and developing advocacy for children receiving services under the Child Welfare Act. It is recognized that youth in government care need long-term, stable and nurturing relationships with adults who can act in conjunction with the child or youth as their mentor or champion. It is also proposed that the Children's Advocate have more frequent and detailed reporting requirements to the ministry. This would ensure follow-up corrective measures are more immediate and would increase accountability to children and families from all Child and Family Services Authorities and delegated First Nations agencies.

The report recommends increased access to adoption records. This recommendation reflects Albertan's growing preference for more open adoption records and will better assist children in adapting to adult life and seeking out their biological families once they become of age.

The report recommends that all adoptive families be permitted private direct adoptions as is currently available for stepparent and relative adoptions. This change would facilitate quicker adoptions as well as be a less expensive alternative for families who now must process private adoptions through licensed agencies.